Graphical user interface with icons having expandable descriptors
US5748927A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04895
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphical user interface for a computer includes an arrangement of icons that provides for a large number of icons to be present on screen while maintaining a large amount of useable screen space. An icon text description setting out the icon's function is provided adjacent to each icon. The icon text description is presented in truncated form when the icon is not designated by a cursor. When the icon is designated by a cursor, the icon text description is expanded to a full length thereby more fully describing the icon's function. When an icon is designated by a cursor, the text descriptions for undesignated icons are blanked, thereby focusing attention on the designated icon. This arrangement has the desirable effect of providing a user with a ready means of identifying or reaffirming icon function while avoiding the consumption of useful screen space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.